3 weeks after Kosmic fire BMC yet to register FIR

It has been three weeks since a massive fire gutted Kosmic Sea Lounge, a resto-bar housed in a posh residential complex in Borivali but the BMC is yet to file an FIR in the matter.

In response to the civic body’s callousness, the residents of Wind Sea apartments, where the hotel is housed, along with the local corporators have decided to approach the police. They are also set to hold a meeting in this regard on Thursday.

While the residents of Wind Sea apartments have consistently maintained that the resto-bar did not take requisite permissions from the housing society, the BMC claims that the hotel has all licences for serving liquor and running a hookah parlour in place.

Meanwhile, former mayor and corporator of the area Shubha Raul also pointed out that the hotel had illegally enclosed the entire front portion of the compound adjoining the building. This took away parking space for the residents of the building and playing area of the kids as well. The fire took place in this portion and consumed the entire enclosure. Police sources who visited the area after the fire said, “Had the fire brigade been delayed in reaching the spot even by a few minutes, the entire building would have been consumed by the fire.”

The residents of Wind Sea apartments also demanded to know why the BMC permitted the hotel to sell liquor, even though there was a housing complex above it and a school less than 100 metres away. Despite several written complaints and follow-ups with the R North ward office, no action has been taken against the hotel, claimed the residents. They have decided to get together on Thursday and approach the police, as the hotel does not have the NOC required from a co-operative housing society to do business in their compound.

Despite repeated attempts to reach the assistant commissioner of R North ward, he remained unavailable for comment.